Page 11

CHAPTER 11

RAVEN

T he lights of Manhattan twinkle below me like fallen stars. My legs dangle over the edge of the brownstone as a cool breeze whips my hair around my face. Up here, eight stories above the street, the city noise fades to a distant hum.

"What am I doing?" The words escape in a whisper.

My fingers trace over the rough concrete ledge, remembering how Karc's scales felt under my touch. The memory of his hands on my body, his mouth claiming mine, sends heat rushing through me. But the warmth quickly turns cold.

"Not going there again." I pull my knees up to my chest. "Not letting another man inside my walls."

Marcus had seemed perfect too, until he convinced me I was worthless as an artist. Jason made me believe I was lucky he even looked at me. And Derek... Derek almost destroyed everything I'd built.

A bitter laugh escapes my throat. Here I am, worried about letting a seven-foot-tall alien lizard man break my heart, when his otherworldly nature is the least of my concerns. The fact that he comes from another planet? Whatever. The superhuman strength? No big deal.

But the way he looks at me like I'm precious? The gentle way he touched me, even while binding me in that alien sex harness? That terrifies me more than any of his inhuman traits.

Madison helped piece me back together after the others. Reminded me daily that I had value beyond what any man saw in me. Helped me find my voice again through my art.

I rest my chin on my knees, watching the city lights blur through tears I refuse to let fall. "I can't do it. I won't survive having my heart ripped out again."

The fire escape rattles under my boots as I slide down the downspout to street level. My hands burn from the friction, but I’ve had worse. The city swallows me up as I blend into the late-night crowd, keeping my hood low and my face hidden. My body is still humming from everything that happened, and my mind is a chaotic mess of emotions I don’t know how to untangle.

By the time I reach our apartment, the adrenaline’s worn off, and I’m just tired. I fumble with my keys, but Madison throws the door open before I can even get them out.

“Where the hell have you been?” she demands, her voice sharp with worry. Her hair’s a mess, and she’s still in her gaming pajamas. “I was about to call the cops, Raven!”

“Calm down, Maddy,” I mutter, stepping inside. “I’m fine.”

She squints at me. “Fine? You’re paler than a ghost and—” Her eyes catch the marks on my neck, the faint red lines from the ropes still visible on my wrists. She freezes. “Holy hippo spit, Raven. You slept with him, didn’t you?”

My face flushes. “I—no! I mean, it’s not?—”

“Don’t even try to lie to me.” She grabs my arm, pulling me into the light. “Look at you! Hickeys, scratches, and... are those rope burns? Raven, what happened ?”

“It’s not what you think,” I stammer, pulling my jacket tighter around me. But the memory of Karc’s hands on my skin, his voice low and commanding, flashes through my mind, and I can’t stop the flush that spreads across my cheeks.

Madison’s eyes widen. “Oh my god. You did . Not only did you sleep with him, but it looks like he showed you a really good time.” She pauses, then adds, “Frankly, I’m jealous.”

“Maddy!” I protest, but the heat in my face gives me away. I can’t help it—the memories come rushing back, and a stupid, giddy grin tugs at the corners of my mouth.

“You are !” she shrieks, pointing at me. “Look at you! You’re glowing! So, how was it? Like, on a scale from one to ‘oh my god, I think I swallowed my tongue,’ how good was it?”

I groan, covering my face with my hands. “You have no idea how good,” I admit, my voice muffled.

Madison squeals, bouncing on her toes. “Details, Raven! I need details! Did he—wait, is this about that alien thing? Oh my god, are you going to have his babies ?”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My grin falters, and the weight of everything crashes back down. The fear, the doubt, the terror of letting someone in again. My chest tightens, and I can’t meet her eyes.

“I’m going to bed,” I mumble, turning toward my room.

“Raven—” Madison’s voice softens, and she reaches out to touch my arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean?—”

“It’s fine,” I say quickly, pulling away. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just... tired.”

She watches me go, her expression a mix of concern and guilt, but I don’t have the energy to reassure her. I close my bedroom door behind me and sink onto the bed, my head in my hands. The warmth of Karc’s touch still lingers on my skin, but the storm in my heart isn’t going anywhere.

My phone's alarm jerks me awake with its angry buzz. Noon already? The memories of last night flood back, making my cheeks burn. I grab my phone to silence it and spot a text from work about the charity car wash.

"You're not seriously going to that, are you?" Madison leans against my doorframe, her arms crossed. "I mean, washing cars in a bikini for tips seems beneath someone worth ten million dollars."

I sit up, rubbing sleep from my eyes. "I haven't touched the money."

"What? Why not?"

"It doesn't feel real." I pull my knees to my chest. "Like any minute now someone's going to tell me it was all a mistake. Besides, if I suddenly quit, Giscard will know something's up. He thinks Kirk and I are actually engaged."

Madison's face softens. She crosses the room and wraps me in a tight hug. "You're an idiot, you know that?"

"Yeah, well..." I squeeze her back. "Takes one to know one."

"Come on." She pulls away, heading for the kitchen. "I'm making poached eggs on toast, and you're going to eat something before you go shake your money maker for Manhattan's elite."

"You don't have to-"

"Shut up and let me feed you." The sound of pots clanking punctuates her words. "That's what friends are for."

After breakfast, I pull on yoga pants and a t-shirt over my skimpy G-string bikini, the one required uniform for the charity car wash. My fingers hover over my phone as I open the banking app where the money Karc had transferred sat untouched, a string of zeroes that made my head spin.

"Guess I’m not materialistic or greedy," I mutter, tapping the screen to make a donation to the homeless shelter hosting the car wash. The payment goes through without a hiccup. I check the balance again, half-expecting it to have disappeared like some cruel joke. Nope. Still there. Still real.

I take a cab to the car wash, my stomach in knots. The driver’s radio blares some pop song I can’t focus on. My mind keeps drifting back to last night, to the way Karc had looked at me, to the way he’d touched me. And then, to the way I’d shut him down. I flinch at the memory.

When I arrive, the parking lot is buzzing with volunteers in tiny swimsuits, hoses in hand, laughing as they soap up luxury cars. I head to the check-in table, but my manager cuts me off before I can grab a sponge.

“Raven,” she says, her tone clipped. “Your services have been purchased. For the day. All day.”

I blink. “What? By who?”

“Some VIP. He’s in spot twelve.”

My blood boils. This reeks of some rich creep trying to buy me like I’m a damn commodity. My fists clench as I storm over to spot twelve, ready to give whoever it is a piece of my mind. But when I see the McLaren, my anger falters.

Karc’s leaning against the hood, a massive bouquet of roses in one hand. He’s in a crisp white shirt and dark jeans, his golden eyes locking onto mine as I approach. The smirk on his face is infuriating. And irresistible.

“What are you doing here?” I demand, crossing my arms.

“Purchasing your services,” he says, his voice smooth, like he’s savoring every word. “For the day.”

“And what exactly do you think you’re getting for that?”

His smirk widens. “Your company. Maybe a car wash if you’re feeling generous.”

I glare at him, but I don’t really mean it.

He holds out the roses. “For you.”

I hesitate, then take them, the scent of roses wrapping around me like his arms had the night before. “You’re not just trying to buy me, are you?”

His expression softens, the smirk fading into something more sincere. “No, Raven. I’m trying to earn you.”

My heart skips a beat, but I force myself to stay grounded. “And what if I’m not for sale?”

“Good thing I’m not shopping.” He steps closer, his voice dropping. “I’m courting.”

I swallow hard, my resolve wavering. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

“Only because you’re worth the risk.” He reaches out, his fingers brushing mine. “So, what’ll it be? Are you washing my car, or am I washing yours?”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t suppress the grin tugging at my lips. “First of all, I don’t own a car. Second, you’re paying for this, so you’re getting the deluxe package.”

He laughs, the sound sending a warmth through me I can’t ignore. “Looking forward to it.”

I peel my yoga pants down and step out of them, tossing them onto the hood of Karc’s McLaren. The cool breeze brushes against my bare legs, and I tug my t-shirt off next, revealing the tiny bikini underneath. Karc’s eyes lock onto me, and I swear I see his pupils dilate. Good. Let him squirm.

“You know,” I say, bending over to grab the sponge from the ground, making sure to take my time, “you could’ve just asked me to wash your car. You didn’t have to buy the whole day.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” he replies, his voice a little rougher than usual. I glance over my shoulder and catch him staring. Got him.

I wet the sponge and start scrubbing the hood, working the soap into a lather. Karc leans back against the car, arms crossed, trying to look casual. But I can see the way his jaw tightens, the way his eyes track every move I make. I smirk and drag the sponge slowly along the windshield, making sure to arch my back just a little.

“You’re enjoying this,” he says, his tone accusing but with a hint of amusement.

“Me? Never,” I say, grinning as I squeeze water from the sponge down my body. I glide the hose between my legs, mimicking the crotch rope he’d tied me in last night. The water trails down my skin, and I shiver, not just from the cold. Karc’s eyes darken, and I swear I see his claws flex.

“You’re asking for more punishment, little bird,” he growls.

“Oh, am I?” I turn to face him, leaning back against the car. “I thought we were just washing your car. Or is there something else you’d like me to do, Mr. Stevens?”

Karc takes a step closer, and for a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me right here, in front of everyone. But he stops just short, his golden eyes blazing. “You’re teasing me,” he says.

“And you don’t like it?” I tilt my head, feigning innocence.

“I like it too much,” he admits, his gaze dropping to my lips. “But don’t think for a second I won’t return the favor.”

“Promises, promises,” I murmur, pressing the sponge into his chest. He grabs my wrist, his grip firm but not painful, and for a moment, we’re locked in a silent battle of wills. The tension between us is electric, and I can feel my pulse racing. I’m playing with fire, and I know it, but I can’t stop. Something about this man—this alien—makes me want to push him, to see how far I can go before he snaps.

And then, in the middle of it all, it hits me like a thunderbolt. This isn’t just a game. It’s not just teasing or revenge for last night. I’m falling for him. Hard. The thought terrifies me, but it’s undeniable.

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath, pulling my hand free and turning back to the car. My heart’s pounding, and my knees feel weak. I can’t do this. I can’t let him in. But as I glance at him over my shoulder, the look in his eyes tells me it’s already too late. I’m in deep, whether I like it or not.